Our True Identity
Baptismâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Past, Present, and Future Tense
Baptism in the Public Square
In the Field

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FROM THE

PRESIDENT
Holy Baptism: A Saving Solidarity

ecent events have made our culture deeply aware of citizenship.
American flags fly from automobiles and are posted in windows. By
these public expressions, individuals
show their support for the nation, the
President, and the Armed Forces. The
phrase “United We Stand” is frequently
placed in proximity to the flag to indicate solidarity.
Solidarity . . . unity: these are important features of a healthy society. As individuals reflect on their citizenship, it
becomes clear that our personal histories
are joined to and defined by the family,
by the community, and by the nation into
which we were born. Some of our parents or grandparents may have served in
the military or in government. Our childhood was defined by a city or village
with its parks, hospitals, and schools. A
visit to another nation illumines how differently the lives of its citizens are due to
its very different history and setting.
The sometimes romantic and sometimes rationalistic idea of each
person being a free and sovereign individual is fundamentally flawed.
Even the person who consciously reacts against the structures of family,
village, and nation is profoundly shaped by them.
Recent events are teaching each of us the truth that: “No man is an
island.” Secularism, humanism, and consumerism have taught that the
self is to be nurtured without regard for others. The self—its ambitions
and satisfaction—was regarded as the greatest good. It trumped
commitment to family, to village, and to nation. It also scoffed at any
commitment to God.
Now, at least for many, it is transparently clear that the future and
welfare of each of us are inextricably intertwined with the fate of our
nation. Our unity and solidarity in the face of evil threats may constitute
the most important quality to guarantee our survival.
If solidarity plays such a strategic role in our civic life, it is even
more vital in matters of the soul! St. Paul saw the solidarity that we
enjoy by God’s gift of citizenship in the Kingdom of God:

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Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take
note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For,
as I have often told you before and now say again even with
tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny
is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in
their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship
is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord
Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that
they will be like His glorious body. (Philippians 3:17-21)

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Far from being reduced to selfish preoccupation with “earthly
things,” we have received a “heavenly citizenship.” This citizenship
unites us with St. Paul and with all Christians. We are one with them for
they have received the same gift: Holy Baptism. The apostle describes
this solidarity in a direct and inclusive fashion.
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)
“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death
in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the
glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)

In the gift of our Baptism, Christ’s death and resurrection become
ours. His history becomes our history. The narrative of His life locates
us in the life of God as we are baptized in the Name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit. This narrative stretches from creation to consummation as God promised the woman’s seed to reverse the curse of
sin and death and will one day display that reversal in Christ’s return.
So our lives, rather than being defined by self, are defined by our
baptismal solidarity with the Holy and Triune God. Our sin-confined
and sin-defined walk towards death has been reversed. The floods of
baptismal grace have washed across us, and the Name of the Holy Trinity has become our identity. We are now “in Christ” and when we are “in
Christ,” we are in the Holy Trinity. This saving solidarity is the pure gift
of God for the sake of Christ.
St. Augustine in a sermon to the newly baptized sketches the life that
this gift bestows:
Such is the power of this Sacrament. For it is the Sacrament of
new life, which in this present time begins from the forgiveness
of all our past sins, and which shall be perfected in the resurrection of the dead. You now walk by faith, as long as you are absent
from the Lord in this mortal body. The way you are going is certain; which He to whom you are going, Jesus Christ made Man,
deigned to become for us. For He has laid up much sweetness for
those that fear Him, and this He will perfect and reveal to those
who hope in Him; since that which we now receive in hope, we
shall also receive in reality.

Enjoy this issue of For the Life of the World with its focus on Holy
Baptism. If your interest grows, read the classic treatment by Edmund
Schlink, The Doctrine of Baptism (Concordia, 1972).
Every Christian is called to treasure and give thanks for the saving
solidarity freely given in Holy Baptism. May that citizenship and
solidarity be yours.
Sincerely yours, in Christ’s service,

Rev. Dr. Dean O. Wenthe
President, Concordia Theological Seminary

For the Life of the World

CONTENTS
F E A T U R E S

page 4
4

Our True Identity
By the Rev. Herbert C. Mueller Jr., President of the Southern
Illinois District, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

In Baptism, God gives us our true identity, our real life,
our Christian vocation, our daily bath, and our eternal destiny. In essence, these gifts of God are each found in
Christ, given when we are buried with Christ in His death
and raised with Him in His resurrection (in Baptism).
Jesus shapes our identity, gives us our real life, calls us to
a life of service, daily cleanses us, and assures us we are
His forever.

7

page 10

By the Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer, Professor and Chairman
of Systematic Theology, Holder of the David P. Scaer
Chair of Systematic and Biblical Theology at Concordia
Theological Seminary

The New Testament knows of only one Baptism that can be
administered only once. This one-time act continues to
offer the blessings of salvation, even when those baptized
no longer have faith. Without faith, these blessings cannot
be received, but they are still there. Since Baptism is an act
of the Triune God who is present in the water, this Sacrament remains the firm foundation to which all who are baptized can return to find salvation. It creates, confirms, and
works through faith, but it does not depend on it.

page 7
page 23

page 15

Baptism—Past, Present, and Future Tense

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Baptism in the Public Square
By Jennifer L. Hamer, Member of Christ the King Lutheran
Church, Riverview, Fla., and Teacher at Immanuel Lutheran
Church, Brandon, Fla.

Is Baptism necessary? In conversations with friends or
family members, I am sure we have all encountered statements such as “I am going to let my child decide if he wants
to be baptized” or “I believe in God; I do not need baptism.”
Baptism is God’s seal on this child for all of eternity, never
to be outgrown or cast aside. Baptism is not dependent on
the knowledge or emotions of the child, nor the child’s ability to make a decision. Nor is it necessary in the case of
infants for faith to precede baptism. It is enough that the
parents answer on behalf of the child.

For the Life of the World is published quarterly by Concordia Theological Seminary
Press, 6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher of For
the Life of the World. Copyright 2002. Printed in the United States. Postage paid
at Huntington, Indiana. To be added to our mailing list please call 260/452-2150 or
e-mail Rev. Scott Klemsz at klemszsc@mail.ctsfw.edu. For the Life of the World is
mailed to all pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in
the United States and Canada and to anyone interested in the work of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.
APRIL 2002

n Baptism, God gives us our true identity,
our real life, our Christian vocation, our
daily bath, and our eternal destiny. In
essence, these gifts of God are each
found in Christ, given when we are buried
with Christ in His death and raised with Him
in His resurrection (in Baptism). As gifts of
God’s grace in Christ, they are received
through faith and are to be lived out in faith
“in the Son of God, who loved [us] and gave
Himself for [us]” (Galatians 2:20).

I

Our True Identity—In Christ
The root of our sin is that we want to identify ourselves as our
own masters, our own gods, to “be like God, knowing good and
evil” (Genesis 3:5). Biblically, however, any self-created identity
(“Old Adam”) is only a mask to cover up the fact that we are, by
nature, slaves to sin: “Everyone who commits sin is a slave to
sin” (John 8:34).
Our true identity, however, is given in the name placed upon
us in our Baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). It is shaped by the fact that
Jesus calls us His own and has identified Himself with us. “Since
therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death He might
destroy him who has the power of death . . .” (Hebrews 2:14).
This identity is bestowed when we are baptized into Christ’s
body (I Corinthians 12:13), receiving life and nourishment from
Him as our Head (Colossians 2:19). We live out this identity in a
vital relationship with Jesus, a relationship given in Baptism,
received through faith and enfolded in a life-long teaching and
growing in the Word of God. “As therefore you received Christ
Jesus the Lord, so live in Him, rooted and built up in Him and
established in the faith, just as you were taught . . .” (Colossians
2:6-7). Christ Himself renews our identity through Confession
and Absolution (“whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven” Matthew 16:19) and refreshes it in His Body and Blood,
“given and shed for the remission of sins.” Who we are in Christ
also finds expression in prayer and in the confession of His name
before the world. We say what He has said to us, trusting and living in His promises.
4

Our Real Life—In Christ
Our sinful flesh tries everything to cover up the fact that we are
dying, or does everything possible to enhance earthly life by the
selfish use of creation (things, people, etc.).
Our real life, on the other hand, is the life of our Baptism “hid
with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), the life of Christ given to us,
as Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ so that it is no
longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now
live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and
gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). This life is the work of
God: “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in
mercy, made us alive together with Christ even when we were
dead in transgressions” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Our real life cannot be touched by death, as Jesus promised,
For the Life of the World

Identity
By the Rev. Herbert Mueller

“I am the Resurrection and the Life, he who believes in Me,
though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in
Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). And this real life is fed and
nourished by Jesus Himself: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son
of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; he who eats
My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life and I will raise him
up at the last day . . .” (John 6:53-54).

Our Christian Vocation—In Christ
The selfish desires of our flesh lead us to want to “lord it over”
one another, to “have it our own way” at the expense of the other
(Matthew 20:25).
Our true calling in Christ is the way of service, “even as the
Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His
life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). It is to live as His
children, to love with His love, to be His body, a people set apart
for God’s possession. So that what? In the words of the Gospel:
“that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in
His name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). This is God’s plan, “that
through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be
made known . . .” (Ephesians 3:10).
All this is given in Holy Baptism to all believers to be exercised according to their station in life as a spiritual priesthood
before God. St. Peter is describing the entire baptized people of
God when he writes: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).
What do we “do” as the “royal priesthood”? Whatever our
station in life, God calls us to “present our bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual
worship” (Romans 12:1). What does that include? Prayer;
encouraging one another; bearing witness to Jesus; doing our
daily work in Christ’s name; being faithful as a mother, father,
child, employer, employee; caring for those in need; bearing the
fruit of the Spirit; teaching and admonishing one another in all
humility; serving in the Church; etc. The point is, God in Christ
has made holy, not only what happens on Sunday, or what we do
inside the church building, but for the baptized all of life is holy,
that is, covered by Christ’s forgiveness and dedicated to God.
The heart of our Christian vocation is our priestly proclamation of God’s wonderful deeds for our salvation. “The lips of a
priest should guard knowledge and men should seek instruction
from his mouth.” (Malachi 2:7) Priests are consecrated for the
sake of the world. They are placed next to people in a specific
time and location. God puts them into a family, a community, a
APRIL 2002

We live in this baptismal rhythm,
dying to sin, rising to life in
Christ. Every day, then, our
Baptism sends us back into our
daily calling (not just what we
usually think of as “church
work”). Where has God placed
you? As a mother or father?
Husband or wife? Student, worker,
or employer? That’s where you
are called to live out your faith.
Christ is actually at work through
you. He is alive in us to work
through us to serve others.

place of work, a congregation. They are to teach and
instruct people with
whom they rub shoulders.
The priests are sent. “As
the Father sent Me, so I
send you.” (John 20:21)
“As you go make disciples
of all nations . . . .”
(Matthew 28:19) “Go into
all the world and preach
the gospel to the whole
creation . . . .” (Mark
16:15) “. . . repentance
and forgiveness of sins
should be preached in His name to all nations . . . .” (Luke 24:47)
The priesthood is to speak to people in their daily conversation,
for and on behalf of God. The baptized are instructed, “In your
hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a
defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in
you” (I Peter 3:15).
The greatest gift or offering the priesthood brings into God’s
presence is people, unbelieving people. But no gift is acceptable to
God until it is holy, sanctified. The unbelieving are sanctified by
the Holy Spirit through the Gospel by which they are brought to
faith and justified. Therefore they also will have a share in the
eternal destiny of the priesthood in the One who “loved us and has
freed us from our sins by His blood, and made us a kingdom of
priests to His God and Father” (Revelation 1:5-6).
What happens when we fail? That’s where our daily bath
comes in.

Our Daily Bath—In Christ
All human beings have the Law written on their hearts
(Romans 2:15), but left with only the Law the flesh, in its
self-serving opinion, alternates between self-righteousness and
despair. In self-righteousness it imagines that we can obtain
God’s favor in some way by what we do. At other times under the
Law, perhaps hearing that “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,
fornication, theft, murder . . .” (Mark 7:21ff.), we despair of ever
being “good enough.”
Our Baptism gives us a daily bath in the “washing of
regeneration and renewal” (Titus 3:5), that “the old Adam in us
should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die
with all sins and evil lusts and, again, a new man daily come forth
and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity
5

forever” (SC IV, LW, p. 303; Romans 6:1-11).
Our real life is our life hidden in Christ. Our real identity is found in His cross and His resurrection. Christ Himself
applies this to us every time we confess our sins and hear the
word of absolution. We live in this baptismal rhythm, dying
to sin, rising to life in Christ. Every day, then, our Baptism
sends us back into our daily calling (not just what we usually think of as “church work”). Where has God placed you?
As a mother or father? Husband or wife? Student, worker, or
employer? That’s where you are called to live out your faith.
Christ is actually at work through you. He is alive in us to
work through us to serve others.
Paul explains more of this baptismal rhythm:

Put to death therefore what is earthly in
you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil
desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of
God is coming. In these you once
walked, when you lived in
Our Baptism gives us an eternal them. But now put them all
away: anger, wrath, maldestiny in Christ. If then you
ice, slander, and foul talk
have been raised with Christ, from your mouth. Do not
seek the things that are above, lie to one another, seeing
where Christ is, seated at the that you have put off the
right hand of God. Set your minds old nature with its pracon things that are above, not on tices and have put on the
new nature, which is being
things that are on earth. For you
renewed in knowledge after
have died and your life is hid with the image of its Creator.
Christ in God. When Christ who is Here there cannot be Greek
your life appears, then you also and Jew, circumcised and
will appear with Him in glory uncircumcised, barbarian,
Scythian, slave, free man,
(Colossians 3:1-4).
but Christ is all, and in all
(Colossians 3:5-11).

In daily repentance we count as dead all that belongs to
the old way, because God has killed it together with Christ
on His cross. The “old Adam” wants to use our gifts and
abilities for our own pride and self-created sense of selfworth. Christ and His Spirit (who make us alive in Baptism)
use our gifts and abilities for the glory of God. This is what
we are to put on each day:
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and
patience, forbearing one another, and, if one has a
complaint against another, forgiving each other; as
the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace
of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you
were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the

6

word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your
hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians
3:12-17).

Christ has clothed us. Christ forgives us. We are God’s
chosen ones, holy and beloved in Christ. Everything flows
from what He has done for us and is renewed by His daily
forgiveness. Christ sets us free from sin, death, hell and their
power to destroy us or separate us from God. His cross sets
us free from the Law’s curse (do this, or else you’ll die!). In
Christ we are now set free to serve Christ in all those around
us needing our love and care. The Law is no longer obligation, but our heart’s desire in Christ. Because we still live in
the flesh, we must every day return to our Baptism to put our
sinful flesh to death (by repentance) and, hearing Christ’s
forgiveness, rise again each day to the new life.
Our Eternal Destiny—In Christ
Our sinful flesh either ignores eternity altogether (believing only in a “heaven or hell that you make for yourself on
earth,” as someone once told me), or expects that human
beings will themselves find the solutions for the future (or
destroy ourselves and our planet, if we are in a pessimistic
mood).
Our Baptism gives us an eternal destiny in Christ. “If
then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that
are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that
are on earth. For you have died and your life is hid with
Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then
you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
Our destiny is bound up with Christ’s. “In fact Christ has
been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have
fallen asleep.” (I Corinthians 15:20) That is what we proclaim at the grave side of every Christian: “[Christ] will
change our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the
power which enables Him to subject all things to Himself”
(Philippians 3:21). He lives to prepare a place for us. He
lives to take us to Himself, to “lose nothing” of what the
Father has given Him, “but raise it up at the last day” (John
6:39). His intent is to make us “a kingdom, priests to His
God and Father” forever (Revelation 1:6).
All of this is given in Baptism, and then is reinforced,
fed, and given again in the Body and Blood of Jesus and in
His Word of promise. Jesus shapes our identity, gives us
our real life, calls us to a life of service, daily cleanses us,
and assures us we are His forever.
The Rev. Herbert C. Mueller Jr., is President of the
Southern Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod.

For the Life of the World

Baptism
Past,Present,and Future Tense

By the Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer

For Lutherans the baptism of an
adult is less frequent than a
baptism of an infant. So when we
speak of Baptism, we naturally
think of Infant Baptism. It was
not always that way. Until the
fourth century, Christianity was
a missionary religion and baptizing adults was as common as
baptizing infants. They baptized
children along with their parents.
When Christianity became the
official religion, first of the
Roman Empire, and then of all
European nations, adult baptisms became the exception.

any of us only know of Baptism as a ritual administered with water in the name of the Triune God to
infants to grant them salvation and to make them
members of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s church. Baptized children are members
of the church and Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body, just as older children and
adults are. Adults are also admitted into the church through
Baptism, but for Lutherans the baptism of an adult is less
frequent than a baptism of an infant. So when we speak of

M

Baptism, we naturally think of Infant Baptism. It was not always that way. Until the
fourth century, Christianity was a missionary religion and baptizing adults was as

APRIL 2002

7

common as baptizing infants. They baptized children along with their
parents. When Christianity became the official religion, first of the
Roman Empire, and then of all European nations, adult baptisms
became the exception. That of the infants became the more common
practice. For more than a millennium and a half, baptized adults have
had their children baptized shortly after birth, and this has remained the
common practice. Larger fonts once used for adults were soon replaced
by smaller ones to adapt to children.
Baptism’s effect lasts our entire
The Reformation era Anabaptists who refused to baptize infants
life. It is, after all, God’s work challenged this custom. For them Baptism was not as God’s gracious act
and not ours. Our salvation is not upon sinners, but the pledges of faith made by committed Christians.
based on a decision we make for Anabaptists held Baptism was a human act, something that Christians
Christ. After we have sinned and did to please God, an act of obedience to fulfill His command. No
longer was Baptism God graciously working through the water to save
fallen from grace, Baptism
believers. They saw it as law. These opponents of Luther questioned the
remains the sure foundation to validity and value of a baptism administered in infancy and required
which we can return to find that those baptized as infants be baptized again. “Anabaptist” literally
Christ. This is not to undermine means “to baptize again.”
The New Testament knows of only one Baptism that can only be
the importance of Confirmation,
administered
once. This one-time act continues to offer the blessings of
but this ritual derives its
salvation, even when those baptized no longer have faith. Without faith,
meaning as a remembrance and
these blessings cannot be received, but they are still there. Since Bapre-celebration of Baptism.
tism is an act of the Triune God who is present in the water, this Sacrament remains the firm foundation to which all who are baptized can
return to find salvation. It creates, confirms, and works through faith, but it does not
depend on it. Though pastors administer Baptism, it is God who baptizes. Our faith
does not contribute to anything God does and cannot take away what God has given.
Today’s Baptists are not the descendants of the Anabaptists. Like them, they insist
that Baptism can be administered only to fully-conscious persons who have reached
what they have decided to be the age of reason. Since for them Baptism is something
we do, a person can be baptized several times. For Luther, multiple baptisms were
sacrilegious, since this mocked God. Children do not fit into the Baptists’ definition
of a fully-conscious and reasonable human being, so they refuse to baptize infants and
younger children. Lutherans have no use for the Baptist argument that children cannot hear the Word of God and believe; however, even for children, their salvation and
that of the adult rests alone on Baptism and not on their faith. Baptism is not an
autonomous ritual, but an act in which the Father-Son-Holy Spirit is present, incorporating the baptized into Himself. In this He works and confirms faith. Many reject
this gracious work, but unbelief does not nullify what God has done. Infant Baptism
is not a recent custom invented by pious Christians who were concerned about the
fate of children who died in infancy, as some scholars hold.
Lutherans belong to that long line of Christians who, since the days of the apostles, have baptized children. The vast majority of Christians who have ever lived and
the great saints of all times were baptized as children, as Luther pointed out in the
Large Catechism. In baptizing children, we are not blindly following a custom that
provided both a religious and social structure to Europe. We do it because Christ
promises to children and all believers the blessings that are contained in this Sacrament. Jesus gave us the assurance that children can believe and held up their faith as
an example for the rest of us to follow.
Today we are facing a problem that was not anticipated a generation ago. Often,
non-church-going children of pious Lutherans are members of churches that do not
baptize children or do not attend any church. These adult children see no need to have
their own children baptized. In these cases, the grandparents rightfully use every
means at their disposal to persuade their children to have their grandchildren baptized. Until this tension is resolved, tension between parents and children remains. In
urging children to have their grandchildren baptized, these grandparents develop a
fuller understanding of the arguments of why infants must be baptized. Unfortunate8

For the Life of the World

ly, and sadly, often these grandparents cannot convince their children to have the
grandchildren baptized. Faithful members of the Lutheran congregations do not need
to be convinced about the importance of Baptism for their newborns. Pastors have the
pleasure of making arrangements for the Sunday on which the child will be baptized.
This is always a happy day for the pastor, congregation, and parents. Often a celebration follows to welcome the new member into the family and, more importantly,
into the church.
This good Christian practice can have a down side. Our enthusiasm for Infant
Baptism can give the impression that this Sacrament applies only to we Christians
during our infancy and childhood. Baptism is something for children and not for
adults. We mistakenly think that we outgrow our Baptism and often see Confirmation
as the defining moment of our Christian lives. Some make decisions for Christ at
evangelistic rallies. This is unfortunate, because Baptism’s effect lasts our entire life.
It is, after all, God’s work and not ours. Our salvation is not based on a decision we
make for Christ. After we have sinned and fallen from grace, Baptism remains the
sure foundation to which we can return to find Christ. This is not to undermine the
importance of Confirmation, but this ritual derives its meaning as a remembrance and
re-celebration of Baptism. Baptism can be administered only once, but it is coterminous with the Christian life. Being a Christian means being baptized. This Sacrament
informs and gives shape to our lives as Christians. It is that something in our lives to
which we come back continually. Our baptismal certificates list the pastor who
administered it and the date and the place where it happened; however, we
are as close to the time and place of our Baptism as if it just happened yes- This Sacrament is not the
terday. Though we may have been baptized many years ago, in Baptism we start of a long journey into
meet God to confess our sins and faith in Christ and so we are forgiven. In
Christianity, but the place where
the Small Catechism, Luther says that Baptism is something of which to
make use every day of our lives. Really, we should use it often each day. The we became Christians. To it we
old man—that part of us that is still a sinner—is daily drowned in the waters must constantly return and, by
grace,
remain!
We
of our Baptism. Out of its waters emerges a new and pure person totally com- God’s
mitted to Christ. Every day, we die to Christ in our Baptism and are resur- possess no holiness before we
rected. Christians are in a state of conversion from sinners to saints, from are baptized and any holiness
doubters to believers. This Sacrament is administered. Nevertheless, it is to
we possess after Baptism is
be used and practiced every day. Baptism requires and makes a constant
regeneration possible. Just as all are born from their mothers, so all who are Christ’s and not of our own
baptized are born from God on high. This Sacrament is not the start of a long doing. Baptism does not allow
journey into Christianity, but the place where we became Christians. To it we us to measure our spiritual
must constantly return and, by God’s grace, remain! We possess no holiness progress, because we are always
before we are baptized, and any holiness we possess after Baptism is Christ’s going back to the font to drown
and not of our own doing. Baptism does not allow us to measure our spirituour sins.
al progress, because we are always going back to the font to drown our sins.
In the early and medieval church, Baptisms were administered in special
buildings called baptistries, of which the most famous is the Leaning Tower
of Pisa. Lutherans often place the baptismal font in the front of the church as
a reminder that we gather as a congregation because we are baptized. So we
begin with the baptismal formula, “in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit,” then proceed to the confession of sins, which
concludes with the Trinitarian formula. All this is a commemoration of our
Baptism. Some churches have the baptismal font at the back of church. To
enter the nave we have to walk around it and the font becomes a teaching
device, a catechism not in words, but in a concrete object. Many churches
where some of us were baptized no longer exist and their baptismal fonts are
lost. This does not matter. Every font becomes the place where we can find
the Triune God who baptized us. In the water of Baptism we must remain and
when we leave it, we must return to it. Here Christ waits for us.
The Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer is Professor and Chairman of the Department
of Systematic Theology and holder of the David P. Scaer Chair of Systematic
and Biblical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.
APRIL 2002

9

y most medical counts, I should not exist. I
should not be alive. My mother experienced severe complications with my
older sister’s birth, rendering her
unable to have more children. Six
years later, my mother was instructed to undergo cat scans in the hope of determining the
cause of the severe migraines plaguing her
daily. The primary concern was a brain tumor.
She underwent other uniform tests, including
having blood drawn, and was informed that
she did indeed have a tumor, but not in the
brain. I was born six months later and some
would argue that I have been a headache
ever since. It was with great joy that my parents witnessed my Baptism a month later.

B

My thirtieth birthday looms in the near future, bringing
both Law and Gospel: Law because the sinner in me is
tempted to begin counting backwards; Gospel because I have
lived in that baptismal grace for thirty years and see no end of
God’s gifts in sight.

Baptism: A Christian Birth
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
(Matthew 28:19) “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,
but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
Is Baptism necessary? In conversations with friends or family
members, I am sure we have all encountered statements such as “I am
going to let my child decide if he wants to be baptized,” or “I believe in
God; I do not need Baptism.” It is customary to give gifts to parents
blessed with the birth of their new son or daughter. How often do parents
turn to their newborn infant and ask if the gift is pleasing to them, if the color
of the pajamas is acceptable, or if the toy has a comforting tune to play every
time it is squeezed. These questions seem ridiculous, yet as sinful people we
impose such questions on our Baptism. The parents receive these earthly and perishable tokens on behalf of their infant, taking great joy in dressing their child in all of the
new clothes while they still fit.

10

For the Life of the World

Baptism inthe
How much more important is this gift of Baptism,
which covers the infant in Christ’s robe of righteousness! Baptism is God’s seal on this child for all of
eternity, never to be outgrown or cast aside. Baptism is
not dependent on the knowledge or emotions of the
child, nor the child’s ability to make a decision. Nor is it
necessary in the case of infants for faith to precede Baptism. It is enough that the parents answer on behalf of
the child. “He saved us through the washing of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on
us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that,
having been justified by His grace, we might become
heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-8)
Is Baptism Law or Gospel? In good Lutheran
fashion, we answer, “Yes!” “Baptism is not just plain
water, but it is the water included in God’s command
and combined with God’s word.” (Luther’s Small
Catechism) God’s command and promise are given
to us in Baptism. For those who despise God’s
Word, it is Law. For those who cling to the cross, it
is purest Gospel. Who are these individuals who
deny the need for Baptism and despise the Word of
God and the manner in which He delivers His
grace? Who are these individuals who cling to the
cross of Christ and say with great peace “Lord
have Mercy”? Again, in fine Lutheran fashion, we
may say that all of us fall into both categories of
the questions asked.

Sanctification: A Christian Life
When we were baptized, we received the righteousness of Christ (New Adam), but the Old Adam
swims quite well! We received forgiveness of sins
and life eternal, however, we continue to sin and fall
short of the glory of God. We were justified and sanctified, yet we daily and willfully separate ourselves
from the love of God in Christ.
What is the role of Baptism in our daily lives? Does
Baptism have purpose or meaning here and now? Baptism is not just a one time, past event. We revisit our
Baptism every time we partake of the rest of the gifts
promised in Scripture and given in the Divine Service.
Because we daily struggle with the saint/sinner dichoto-

my, we daily need washing and renewal. We are 100%
saint and 100% sinner, trapped in a spiritual tension that
will not end until our fleshly demise. The Apostle Paul
understood this very well when he spoke of this struggle in Romans 7:13-25. So then, what is our approach to
sanctification? Is it our duty to live a life reflecting
Christ’s love and sacrifice or is it Christ in action in us?
The answer is yes!
The entire sanctified life is one of daily dying and
living: “We were therefore buried with Him through
Baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we
too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4). We continually
partake of Word and Sacrament, repent of our
sins, and receive forgiveness as we daily crucify our sinful nature. Sanctification is best
understood as Christ in action according to
our new nature, not our pathetic obligation to prove we are sanctified. What we
do or say in our daily vocations is not driven by Law (“We must do this
or accomplish that if we are Is Baptism necessary? In
truly sanctified”), but by the conversations with friends or
redeeming blood of Christ family members, I am sure we
who continues to abide with have all encountered statements
us. Sanctification (Christ in
such as “I am going to let my
action) is enlightened in John
15:4-5: “Abide in Me, and I in child decide if he wants to be
you. As the branch cannot baptized,” or “I believe in God; I
bear fruit of itself, unless it do not need Baptism.”
abides in the vine, neither can
you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the
branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears
much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.”
Yet we as sinners try to pick and choose which gifts
of God we wish to receive. We have set before us in the
Divine Service (God’s work for us) a beautiful treasure
chest constructed from the wood of the manger and the
cross wherein we have God’s word in liturgy (corporate/public service): Baptism, confession, preaching,
hymns, and the Lord’s Supper. And woe to us when we
let our sinful nature say “I will take this gift, but not
that!” or “I deem this gift important, but certainly not

By Jennifer Hamer

APRIL 2002

11

that!” or worse yet “I will take this gift, but let me alter it
more to my personal liking.” We would never pick and
choose which diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires to take
when the entire treasure chest is given to us. Woe to our
fickle, sinful nature! We poor sinners have naught to do
but stand in the presence of God and receive His gifts. We
live the rest of the week in our vocations rejoicing in the
forgiveness and grace bestowed on us, reflecting His
light and mercy. The sanctified life does not consist of
our personal decisions regarding which gifts we choose
or what actions we deem pleasing according to our

sinful nature. Instead, “the Old Adam in us should by
daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with
all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily
emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and
purity forever”(Luther’s Small Catechism). We rejoice in
our baptismal grace, which extends from the beginning
of life until death, every time we partake of the Gospel in
the Word and Sacraments.
Mrs. Jennifer L. Hamer is a member of Christ the
King Lutheran Church, Riverview, Fla., and a teacher
at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Brandon, Fla.

✠✠✠
In the baptismal rite of Medieval England, the baptismal candle was placed in the
right hand of the baptizan with the admonition to live always by the light of Christ.
When Baptism reached its consummation in eternal life, the same candle was placed in
the right hand of the deceased, signifying that Baptism encompassed the entire life of
the believer–a life of baptismal grace in the public square; a life of daily dying and
rising; in short, a life of Christ in action for us and for our salvation.
All who believe and are baptized Shall see the Lord’s salvation;
Baptized into the death of Christ, They are a new creation;
Through Christ’s redemption they will stand Among the glorious heav’nly band
Of ev’ry tribe and nation.

With one accord, O God, we pray, Grant us your Holy Spirit;
Help us in our infirmity Through Jesus’ blood and merit;
Grant us to grow in grace each day By holy Baptism that we may
Eternal life inherit. (LW #225, stz. 1-2)

What is the role of Baptism in our
daily lives? Does Baptism have
purpose or meaning here and
now? Baptism is not just a one
time, past event. We revisit our
Baptism every time we partake
of the rest of the gifts promised
in Scripture and given in the
Divine Service. Because we daily
struggle with the saint/sinner
dichotomy, we daily need washing
and renewal.

12

For the Life of the World

What Does This

MEAN

I AM BAPTIZED: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
aptism is present tense. It is not simply that “I was
baptized” but that “I am baptized.” Baptism is no mere
rite of initiation on the spectrum of sacramental acts, but
the basis and content of Christians’ lives that are brought to
completion only in the resurrection of the body.
In the Large Catechism, Luther expands upon the truth of
Baptism confessed in the Small Catechism as he emphasizes
the fact that Baptism is God’s work, not the work of any human
being. “To be baptized in God’s name is to be baptized not by
human beings but by God himself. Although it is performed by
human hands, it is nevertheless truly God’s own act.” (LC
IV:10, Kolb/Wengert, 457) Luther never tires of stressing that
Baptism is God’s work. “Thus you see plainly that Baptism is
not a work that we do but that it is a treasure that God gives us
and faith grasps, just as the Lord Christ upon the cross is not a
work but a treasure placed in the setting of the Word and
received by faith.” (LC IV: 37, Kolb/Wengert, 461) With a
polemical edge that is lacking in the Small Catechism, Luther
engages the “new spirits” who set Baptism aside, regarding it
as empty. “Therefore it is sheer wickedness and devilish
blasphemy that now, in order to blaspheme Baptism, our new
spirits set aside God’s Word and ordinance, consider nothing
but the water drawn from the well, and then babble, ‘How can
a handful of water help the soul?’”(LC IV:15, Kolb/Wengert,
458) As in the Small Catechism, Luther focuses on the benefit
or blessing of Baptism. “This is the simplest way to put it: the
power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is that it
saves. For no one is baptized in order to become a prince, but,
as the words say, ‘to be saved.’ To be saved, as everyone
knows, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and
the devil, to enter into Christ’s kingdom, and to live with him
forever.” (LC IV:24, Kolb/Wengert, 459)
Perhaps the most significant dimension of the Large
Catechism’s treatment of Baptism is the significance of
Baptism for the daily life of the believer. Here Luther remarks,
“In Baptism, therefore, every Christian has enough to study
and practice all his or her life. Christians always have enough
to do to believe firmly what Baptism promises and brings—
victory over death and the devil, forgiveness of sin, God’s
grace, the entire Christ, and the Holy Spirit with his gifts. In
short, the blessings of Baptism are so boundless that if our
timid nature considers them, it may well doubt whether they
could be all true” (LC IV:41, Kolb/Wengert, 461). For Luther,
the significance of Baptism is found in the rhythm of the dying
and rising that marks Christian existence: “Thus a Christian
life is nothing else than a daily Baptism, begun once and continuing ever after. For we must keep at it without ceasing,
always purging whatever pertains to the old Adam, so that

B

APRIL 2002

whatever belongs to the new creature may come forth” (LC
IV:65, Kolb/Wengert, 65). Baptism is not something that is
confined to the moment of the liturgical rite, but rather
embraces the life of the Christian from font to grave. Thus,
there is, as Jonathan Trigg aptly describes it, a certain
“circularity” to the baptismal life:
The circularity of the Christian life for Luther is reflected in several aspects of his theology. Conversion itself
becomes, not an event, but a state to be preserved in by
the Christian who must be semper penitens. . . A Christian never progresses beyond the need for justification
because of the nature of justification itself—he remains
a sinner although righteousness is imputed to him as he
lives by faith. . . . The life of faith is no complacent
reflection on past victories but an armed struggle.1

So in the face of sin and death, temptation and struggle,
Luther counsels the Christian to retreat to his or her Baptism
and seize the consolation that it gives. “Thus, we must regard
Baptism and put it to use in such a way that we may say: ‘But
I am baptized! And if I have been baptized, I have the promise
that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and
body’. . . . No greater jewel, therefore, can adorn our body and
soul than Baptism, for through it we become completely holy
and blessed, which no other kind of life and work on earth can
acquire.” (LC IV:44,46, Kolb/Wengert, 462)
In summary, we confess with Luther: “Thus we see what a
great and excellent thing Baptism is, which snatches us from
the jaws of the devil and makes us God’s own, overcomes and
takes away sin and daily strengthens the new person and
always endures and remains until we pass out of this misery
into eternal glory. Therefore let all Christians regard their Baptism as the daily garment that they are to wear all the time.
Every day they should be found in faith and with its fruits, suppressing the old creature and growing up in the new. If we want
to be Christians, we must practice the work that makes us
Christians, and let those who fall away return to it. As Christ,
the mercy seat, does not withdraw from us or forbid us to
return to him even though we sin, so all his treasures and gifts
remain. As we have once obtained forgiveness of sins in Baptism, so forgiveness remains day by day as long as we live, that
is, as long as we carry the old creature around our neck” (LC
IV:83-86, Kolb/Wengert, 466-467).
1
. Jonathan Trigg, Baptism in the Theology of Martin Luther
(Boston: Brill Academic Publishers, 2001), 170.
The Rev. John T. Pless is Assistant Professor of Pastoral
Ministry and Missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort
Wayne, Ind., and Editor of For the Life of the World magazine.
13

In the

FIELD

by Monica Robins

In the Field is a special feature section that focuses on the life and
ministry of a pastor within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Lead by the Spirit

o see excitement in a congregation—people with a strong
desire to receive God’s gifts and having their faith grow—
that’s what being in the ministry is all about,” said the
Rev. David M. Young, pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran
Church, Eyota, Minn.
A 2001 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort
Wayne, Ind., and a second-career pastor, Pastor Young was called
to this strong and faithful congregation in June 2001, and was
ordained there on June 17th. “The pastors that shepherded this
congregation before me were faithful, so I was blessed to come
into a congregation where there was no inner turmoil or strife.”
Before beginning at the seminary, Pastor Young was a
successful sales manager on the eastern seaboard. “It is a difficult decision to drop
everything and go to seminary. I liken it to selling all of my possessions and taking
up my cross. I was fulfilled in different ways at the seminary, however. It was rewarding to study under the best theologians in the world—the subject matter is such that
students pursue and devour it with vigor, and much of the learning goes on beyond
the classroom in the cafeteria and in other social settings.”
Pastor Young’s wife, Kathy, was a stay-at-home mom before they came to the
seminary. Upon arrival in Fort Wayne, she worked outside the home, and they
took advantage of the Christ’s Child Learning Corner on campus for the care of their
children during the day, which worked very well for them. By taking very heavy

T

14

For the Life of the World

class loads each quarter, Pastor Young was able to complete his Master of Divinity
degree in three years (including his vicarage year). The typical Master of Divinity
student has three years of academic work and a year of vicarage. “While the work
load was tough, the love of learning permeated the atmosphere, so it was not as much
of a burden as it might have been otherwise,” said Pastor Young.
“When I began as pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, we had a membership
of 650 people on paper, but only about 90 in service on Sunday mornings,” commented Pastor Young. “We have since changed our Sunday morning schedule to include two
services, rather than just one, and we offer Communion every Sunday. We use Lutheran Worship, as the liturgy comes from God’s Word, and it is through His Word that God
works. The Lord has brought people back to church, so we now have an average of 175
in worship.” In seven months as pastor of this congregation, Pastor Young has baptized
11 infants and one adult and has had five funerals to officiate.
The age ranges of the members of the congregation are varied: 25% of members
are under 12, 25% are 12-35 years of age, 25% are age 35-55, and 25% are older than
55. The town of Eyota has about 1,800 residents, and many of the local public school
leaders are members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. The courses on health and sex
education at the public high school are taught by an LCMS member, and the football
and basketball head coaches and assistant coaches are also members of the church.
Pastor Young, who loves having an active role in the local community, is the
assistant coach for the high school football team and for the 7th Grade girls’
basketball team. “It’s a really unique and fortunate situation. They know that I am a
pastor, and they know what I am about. As a result, I don’t have any problems
sharing the good news of Christ in this setting. Another nice thing is that, because
so many people in the community attend church, there are no activities or games
scheduled on Wednesday nights in the entire league! It’s understood that Sundays
and Wednesdays are reserved for church.”
When asked what he would say to a man considering
studying to become a pastor, Pastor Young said, “Let the Holy
Spirit lead. We, as humans, think we know what is best, but in
reality, it is God who knows, and it is in Him that we should
place our faith.”

Before beginning at the
seminary, Pastor Young
was a successful sales
manager on the eastern
seaboard. “It is a difficult
decision to drop everything and go to seminary. I
liken it to selling all of my
possessions and taking up
my cross. I was fulfilled in
different ways at the seminary, however. It was
rewarding to study under
the best theologians in the
world—the subject matter
is such that students pursue and devour it with
vigor, and much of the
learning goes on beyond
the classroom in the cafeteria and in other social
settings.”
When asked what he
would say to a man considering
studying
to
become a pastor, Pastor
Young said, “Let the Holy
Spirit
lead.
We,
as
humans, think we know
what is best, but in reality,
it is God who knows, and it
is in Him that we should
place our faith.”

Pastor Young is married to Kathy, and they have three
daughters: Amy (13), Rachel (12), and Hannah (5).

APRIL 2002

15

Called to

SERVE
Our Sufficiency Is from God

orn into a family of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, Steve Parks is thankful
for the friend who took the time to
share with him her faith in the Triune God
of Scripture. At 19, Steve converted to
Christianity. “As the Lord revealed to me
through His Word who He truly is, and
what He did for me on Calvary’s cross, I
was stunned to say the least,”
Steve commented.
So how does someone who
began life as a non-Christian get
to the point where he decides
to become a pastor in The
Lutheran
Church—Missouri
Synod? Steve’s decision to attend
seminary definitely did not come
overnight. In fact, though he
always believed a seminary
education would be beneficial, he
did not consider himself worthy of
the Office of the Holy Ministry.
Like many men who would otherwise
make excellent pastors, he labored under
the delusion that called and ordained
servants of the Word had to be
Those of us who are fortunate “supermen,” which is a role
enough to have regular pastors model Steve did not feel
easily forget about those fellow adequate to fulfill.
“Over a number of years, I
Lutherans across the country who
was
consistently approached by
do not, to say nothing of those
my pastor, fellow parishioners,
dedicated pastors who serve sevand close friends who urged me
eral congregations in the face of to consider attending seminary.
the present clergy shortage.
As I researched the possibility, I
was astonished to discover the
tremendous shortage of pastors in the
LCMS,” explained Steve. “Those of us
who are fortunate enough to have regular
pastors easily forget about those fellow
Lutherans across the country who do not,
to say nothing of those dedicated pastors
who serve several congregations in the

B

16

face of the present clergy shortage. In the
end, my decision to attend seminary
actually came before I had a strong desire
to do so. I recognized the intense need
for pastors, and prayed that God would
grant me the gifts and desire necessary to
serve the church in this capacity. As
people continued urging me to consider
seminary, I came to see it as an indication
that God was clearly leading me in that
direction. Since then, the Lord has given
me an unquenchable desire to attend
seminary, and I can’t imagine being
happy in life without following through
on my plans.”
The decision to study for the Holy
Ministry is just one step in the
pilgrimage. Steve identified two other
large hurdles that he needed to overcome
before he could begin his Master of
Divinity degree. “The first hurdle was a
little something called a “Bachelor’s
Degree,” Steve relates. “As a layperson
in the LCMS, I had never perused an
accredited undergraduate degree. However, since deciding to attend CTS, I
have worked hard to complete my Bachelor’s Degree, and the prospect of attending seminary has acted as the impetus I
needed to successfully complete my
undergraduate studies.” He will finish a
Bachelor in Theology Degree this spring
at Concordia University Irvine and will
begin at CTS this summer with Greek.
The second hurdle came from within.
“Though I was convicted of the Synod’s
need for confessional pastors, I still felt
profoundly inadequate for the task. I was
overjoyed, however, to discover that I
wasn’t the first to have such misgivings,”
said Steve. “From Aurelius Augustine to
Martin Luther, our church’s history is
filled with examples of those who sensed

For the Life of the Church

New Financial
Aid Program!

tudents in on-campus programs leading to ordination will receive seminary
grant-in-aid awards each quarter that
are 70% of their tuition for the fall, winter,
and spring quarters, making the grant-inaid/tuition ratio the same for everyone.
Students are encouraged to energetically
seek grants and scholarships that might be available, in
addition to working closely with their home congregation and home
district. If a student sees that his total gift aid for a quarter—from all the
various sources combined—will not equal his tuition cost for that quarter,
he can apply for a Supplementary Guarantee Grant.
For more information about this program, please contact the Financial
Aid Office at (260) 452-2151.

S

their own inadequacies, but learned to
say with St. Paul: ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as
being from ourselves, but our sufficiency
is from God’ (II Corinthians 3:5).”
Steve’s wife, Robin, currently works
as an Admission Counselor at CUI, and
is prayerfully considering entering the
Deaconess Program, or perhaps even
seeking a Master of Arts in religious
studies at the seminary.
For those currently considering seminary, Steve says, “Do not delay your trek
to the seminary. I have come to believe
that attending seminary is like getting
married or having children. If you are
always waiting for the ‘proper time,’ that
time may simply never come. We never
know what the future holds, so be obedient to God’s call! In my experience,
those who make
the best candidates for the
Office of the Holy
Ministry do not
recognize their
own God-given
gifts and talents.
Speak with your
pastor and those
who know you
best. You may be
surprised at what
they have to say.”

Sale
ousing in Fort
Wayne is very
affordable.
Homes within walking
distance of the seminary sell for anywhere
between $60,000 and
$300,000. Here are
three homes currently
available for sale for
less than $85,000!

H

17

For the

LIFE
CHURCH
of the

Concordia Theological Seminary Initiates

CHRIST FOR ALL TIME

Student Support Organization—Assuring Pastors for Our Children and Grandchildren
by Dan Johnson, Director of Major Gifts

ith empty pulpits and the need for new
clergy growing around us and with a
new generation of young men growing up within the pews of LCMS congregations, Concordia Theological Seminary is
preparing for another surge of growth.
Knowing that this will require expanded
support for those men who choose to
become ordained pastors, CTS is announcing the creation of the “CHRIST FOR ALL TIME”
Student Support Organization.
This new organization will serve to recognize all
those donors whose gifts sustain the work of the seminary. Donors are urged to consider a five-year commitment, although annual gifts are always welcomed.
“We are truly grateful to those people and groups that
annually give of their earthly treasure to support and
maintain the seminary and its students,” said CTS President Dr. Dean O. Wenthe. “During this time, when tuition
support must come from outside the resources of most students, and when the Synod is unable to subsidize directly
our efforts as it did in the past, the seminary must rely on
the church’s people to supply the support needed.”
The “CHRIST FOR ALL TIME” organization is made
up of seven “giving societies” named after seven heroes of
Lutheranism. Each society honors those whose gifts have
funded any seminary-approved program, as well as the
student aid programs and the general operations of the
school. In addition, dollars applied to any current and/or
newly-created endowment fund are recognized.

W

18

The school is also initiating the CTS
“All-Saints Society” to recognize those
individuals who make planned gifts to the
seminary through a bequest in their will
and/or a living testament such as a charitable
trust or annuity.
“The need to build an ever-expanding
corps of annual donors cannot be overstated,” according to CTS Vice President for
Institutional Advancement, the Rev. Dean C. Wachholz.
According to Wachholz, “the 5,000-plus donors who
assisted CTS this past year accounted for nearly 72% of
all our financial resources. These gifts remain the foundation of our financial health.”
CTS Assistant Vice President for Institutional
Advancement, Deborah Rutt, described the “CHRIST
FOR ALL TIME” organization as “an effort to offer
every donor the opportunity to be recognized on campus
and to participate in some campus program to thank them
for their support.”
Initiation of the “CHRIST FOR ALL TIME” organization is the product of two years’ work completed by the
seminary advancement staff and a committee of 13
laypeople from around the country.
Future mailings and staff visits will supply all seminary supporters with complete information on how they
can become a part of the “CHRIST FOR ALL TIME”
Student Support Organization. A new generation of
ordained pastors will be the product of this effort.

I would
like to speak with someone about pledging to “Christ For All Time.”
like to speak with someone about Unitrusts.
like to speak with someone about gift annuities.
like to receive information about including CTS in my will.
like to speak to someone about planned giving.
I have included CTS in my estate plan.
Please send the CASE list of matching gift companies.

n recent months we have featured articles on the
subject of corporate matching funds as several of
our donors have shared their positive experiences
in applying matching funds from their employer to
their gifts for Concordia Theological Seminary.
Recently we have had conversations with other
donors who previously had been unaware of the fact
that their own employer would actually match their
charitable gifts. Had they known, these donors would
have pursued that option a lot sooner.
Therefore, we would like to provide information to
folks who may be unaware of corporate matching
funds which are available to them in their charitable
giving to institutions of higher learning like Concordia
Theological Seminary.
Much information is provided through the Council
for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE),
headquartered in Washington, D.C. CASE is the national clearinghouse for corporate matching gift information. CASE maintains a comprehensive database on
7500 different matching gift companies, providing statistical information and profiles for non-profit entities
such as CTS. One of its publications is an alphabetical
listing of companies that match gifts, available upon
request from your seminary Advancement Office.

I

What are Matching Gifts?
The original idea was implemented at General Electric in 1954. The Board of Directors wanted to encourage GE employees to contribute to their alma maters.
As an incentive, it was decided to match those gifts.
The idea soon spread to other companies and, in that
time since 1954, employers and employees have contributed more than two billion dollars to education.
Companies often want to support educational institutions and non-profit organizations in the areas where
their plants and offices are located. Even if the company may not employ local alumni, it is a gesture of good

20

$

SOURCE OF SUPPORT

POTENTIAL

OPPORTUNITY

will in appreciation for the indirect benefits received
from these not-for-profit partners in the community.
Matching employee gifts can also improve employee morale and loyalty as a gesture of appreciation by the
company. The educational institution benefits because
its base of contributors and support is thereby expanded.
Overall, everyone wins: Companies enhance
their public image, employees look more favorably
on their ability to make charitable gifts, and the nonprofit recipients use the funds to expand their programs and facilities.
How does the Matching Gift process work?
The Human Resources Department will provide
you with a gift matching form from your employer.
Fill in the form as indicated and send it along with
your gift to Concordia Theological Seminary, Office
of Seminary Advancement, 6600 N. Clinton Street,
Fort Wayne, IN 46825.
If you would like to have a CASE list of matching
gift companies or receive additional information, use the
coupon below and enclose in the envelope provided in
this magazine to return it to the Advancement Office.
Corporate matching funds are, indeed, an
UNDER-UTILIZED source of seminary support as
matching gifts have UNLIMITED potential for CTS
and for our donors. Matching gifts through your
employer provides the UNIQUE opportunity for you
to carry out your VISION and our MISSION of assuring that our children and grandchildren will have pastors for years to come.
(Thank you to CASE, 1307
New York Ave. NW, Suite 1000,
Washington, DC 20005 for providing the information included in
this article.)
Alan Havekotte

For the Life of the World

FOR THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
Multitasking with a Charitable Remainder

UNITRUST
By the Rev. Ralph Schmidt, Director of Planned Giving

armers are the backbone of our country, supplying our citizens with an abundance
of food that is the envy of the world. But what does a farmer do when it is time
to retire and nobody in the family wants to continue to farm?
That dilemma faced John and Mary Jones when John wanted to retire at age 65.
Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children all had careers of their own and were not returning to the farm. John
looked into selling the farm, but taxes were a big problem. They had bought the farm
many years ago for $20,000. Today it is worth $750,000. If John sold it, he would have
to pay over $180,000 in capital gains and state income taxes. So John decided to rent it
out. After paying property taxes and other expenses, he received $27,000 per year in
income. But a year later, John learned about a charitable remainder unitrust. He discovered that he could give the farm to Concordia Theological Seminary, receive income
from it for the rest of his life, pass income on to his children for an additional twenty
years, and instead of paying capital gains taxes, he would receive a tax deduction of
about $100,000.
John and Mary gave the farm and received $45,000 in income the first year, with the
anticipation that their income would increase through the years. They were excited that
they had accomplished several things at once: 1) They increased their income by twothirds. 2) They received a substantial tax deduction. 3) They left a sizeable inheritance
for their children over a period of years. 4) They left a large gift to Concordia Theological Seminary where it will eventually provide significant financial aid for students
who will serve our church as pastors.
John and Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan is one that many people can use. The ideal gift to fund a unitrust is an asset of highly appreciated property, such as farmland, rental property, stocks,
etc., that may not be producing the greatest income anymore. Such gifts
can provide increased income to the donor, tax deductions, and the satisfaction of knowing that they are providing both for their family and the
seminary in a most effective manner.
If you would like to learn more about how a unitrust could benefit
you, please call 1-260-452-2268 for a confidential appointment, or send
in the coupon below.

F

Our apologies to Dr. and Mrs.
Bunkowske and our readers for the
errors that appeared in the captions
under their photos in the October,
2001, issue. The anniversary photo
was of their 40th wedding anniversary, not their 50th. The other photo
was taken in Moreira, Brazil, rather
than Portugal as was listed.

VISION

YOUR

OUR

MISSION

Rev. Ralph G. Schmidt

RETIREIN PARIS?

ver the past twelve years, five Lutheran pastors and two Lutheran teachers have
retired in Paris. Why? In Paris (Illinois, of course), there is a beautiful retirement
home, Grace Lutheran Village, that was built by Lutherans for Lutherans.
The housing is arranged in a subdivision-like community of 30 spacious, attractive, comfortable, and economical duplex apartments that surround a two-level activity building. Each two-bedroom, 1,325-square-foot apartment has an attached garage,
a patio, and all appliances. The low rent includes once-a-month maid service, trash
pick up, window washing twice annually, maintenance, yard care, and snow removal.
If you would like more information, or would like to arrange for a visit, please write
to Grace Lutheran Church, 140 Concordia Dr., Paris, IL 61944, or call (217) 466-1215.

St. James Lutheran Church
800 Cincinnati St.
Lafayette, IN 47901-1073
8:30 a.m.

Sunday, April 7

EASTER CHORAL VESPERS
Kramer Chapel
4:00 p.m.

For the Life of the World

Lord,What Will
You HaveMeDo?

The CTS Seminary Guild Invites You to Assist
in Renovating the Mission Resource Center
he mission of the Concordia Theological
Seminary Guild, Fort Wayne, is to serve
God by communicating the needs and
encouraging the support of Concordia
Theological Seminary and its students.
Our vision, by God’s grace, enables us to
pray, encourage men in our congregations for
the ministry, support the seminary, and help
provide for the spiritual and physical needs of
the seminary and its students.
In the building of God’s kingdom, each
member is offered an opportunity to be one of
His servants. No effort is more basic than
encouraging future pastors to respond to His
call. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers
are few.” (Matthew 9:38)
Collectively, sisters in the family of God
can, by grace, accomplish what could not be
done single-handedly.
The Mission Resource Center has become
an important meeting place for students to
grow in their understanding of God’s Word
reaching the farthest corners of the world.
However, the area needs to be updated and
redecorated. We have decided to take on this
project and give it our special attention. Perhaps you, too, would be interested in helping
us renovate the area by contributing funds to the project.
We need approximately $5,000
to begin.
Please prayerfully consider
supporting us in our efforts to
create an inviting place where

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children of God can come and learn about
how the Gospel is being shared around the
world. For individuals who wish to donate to
this project and take advantage of tax deductions or credits, make your check payable to
Concordia Theological Seminary and designate, “For Mission Resource Project.” All
others may make their checks payable to the
Seminary Guild.
If you are a Lutheran Brotherhood member, be sure to request a Matching Funds
Grant Form from your representative. Fill it
out and return it to the Seminary Guild so
that they may receive matching funds for
this project.
If you are an AAL member, be sure to
request a form for the AAL Member Gift
Matching Program from our Guild Advisor or
President. Fill it out and return it to the Seminary
Guild so that the seminary may receive matching
funds from AAL for this project.
Mail check to:
Concordia Theological Seminary
Seminary Guild - Box 403
6600 N. Clinton Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46825-4996

For more information contact Janet Hamman at (260)
493-2754 or write to the seminary at the above address in
care of the Seminary Guild.
Thank you.

■ We have enclosed a $25.00 check for our
group to be an Affiliate Guild.
■ I have enclosed a $10.00 check to be
an individual affiliate member.
■ I have enclosed a check to support
the renovation of the Mission
Resource Center.

THE ULTIMATE
HIGH SCHOOL MEN’S ACADEMY
JUNE 16-19, 2002
✠ “I enjoyed studying God’s Word, learning Greek, and getting into the Scripture in-depth.”
✠ “I learned a lot of things I never would have learned otherwise, and it all made so much
sense, because the scripture interpreted scripture.”

✠ “I have been to other camps, but you won’t find this quality of character from any other
one. I made a lot of friends, I had a fantastic time, and I am going to try to go next year.
Even if you don’t know if you want to become a pastor for sure, this will help you define
what you want to do.”

Clarity of Direction

✠ “Cedar Point was such a great time and it is fun just to hang out with other Lutherans.””
✠ “I liked cards and
movies in the Commons
because there were so
many choices and you
could just hang out if
you wanted to.”
✠ “I liked the baseball
game. We had a great
time with everyone
enjoying themselves
and getting baseballs.”

Fun Activities

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Christ Academy, like Concordia Theological
Seminary, is about Christ crucified who is
present in the Word and Sacraments to forgive
and dwell in His Church. Students of Christ
Academy will study in the four main areas of
theology: Exegetical (biblical interpretation),
Systematic (a systematic presentation of our
Christian faith in the contemporary world),
Historical (how the Church throughout the ages
has confessed the faith), and Pastoral Ministry
and Missions. Convocations will be taught by
seminary professors.

What will I study at Christ Academy?

Who attends Christ Academy? Missouri

Synod Lutheran high-school-aged men who are
interested in learning about theology and are open
to the possibility of preparing for the Holy Ministry.
Admission is competitive, based on seniority, ability
to participate in the Academy for the full two weeks,
and short admission essays.
24

What role does worship play at
Christ Academy? A very central role!

Worship is where we connect with Christ who
is present in the Word and the Sacraments.
Therefore, we are happy to offer daily Word
and prayer services (historically called Matins,
Vespers, and Compline), as well as Holy
Communion each week. Students also help lead
worship by participating in the Academy chorus.

Where will I stay during Christ Academy? You will stay in dormitory rooms on the
seminary campus, two guys per room. Each room
has two closets, two chairs, and two beds. Bedding
and towels will be provided.

What is the Price? $300 for the two-week

academny. For more information, contact Concordia
Theological Seminary, 6600 N. Clinton, Fort
Wayne, Indiana 46825, call 1-800-481-2155,
or e-amil us at christacademy@mail.ctsfw.edu.
For the Life of the World

While in Berlin we will be special
guests of our sister church, St.
Mary’s Lutheran Church. We’ll
have the opportunity to visit and fellowship with our Lutheran friends.
We will also begin our exploration of
the city. Overnight in Berlin.

Departure

Wittenberg/Berlin

It was in Erfurt that Luther obtained
a degree in 1502 and a doctorate in
the faculty of philosophy in 1505. It
was in Erfurt that he took the decisive turn to
theology and the monastic life when he was caught in
a violent thunderstorm and took a
vow to become a monk. Overnight
in Erfurt.

Frankfurt/Erfurt

Today, we’ll join a local city
guide for a walking tour of Erfurt
including St. Mary’s Cathedral
where Luther was ordained as a
priest, the Augustinian Monastery,
where Luther lived as a monk and the Medieval
Kramer Bridge, on which 33 dwellings are built. Following our walking tour, we’ll board a train for Eisenach. In Eisenach we’ll visit the magnificent Wartburg
Castle, where Luther took refuge while he translated
the New Testament into the German Language.
Overnight in Erfurt.

We’ll join St. Mary’s Lutheran Church
for the Divine Service and Bible
Study. This will be a unique opportunity to experience the unique
bond we all have in our Christian
faith. After a leisure lunch, we
will relax and enjoy our suburban location and the local parks.
Overnight in Berlin.

Berlin

Erfurt/Eisenach/Erfurt

This morning we’ll board the train and head northeast
to Leipzig where Luther preached and Bach served as
Kantor. Upon arrival, we’ll join a local guide for a
walking tour including the magnificent St. Thomas
Kirche, St. Nicolai Kirche and the Market Square with
its Renaissance buildings. A free afternoon will let you
explore these sites further. Overnight in Leipzig

Erfurt/Leipzig

We’ll join a local guide for a city tour.
Our tour will include the most historic
sights of Luther’s life and work. We’ll
tour the inspiring Castle Church, and the
historic “Theses Doors.” We will also
see the tomb of Luther. We’ll visit the
“Stadt Kirche” with its marvelous
Cranach Altarpiece. We’ll also tour
the Lutherhalle where Luther and his
family lived, now home to the largest
collection of Reformation artifacts in
the world. We will also celebrate the
4th of July. Overnight in Wittenberg.

Wittenberg

APRIL 2002

A final day of exploration awaits
us. A tour of the churches or a day of museums will
complete our day. We’ll spend a final evening of
fellowship as Christ Academy – Germany comes
to an end. Overnight in Berlin.

✠ Meals and beverages,
except noted in itinerary.
✠ Tips at hotels and for local
city guides.
✠ All and any government fees
and departure/airline taxes
(est. $65-$80)
✠ Passport fees.
✠ Expenses of a personal nature.
✠ Passenger protection
program. (optional)

Not Included in Price:
Tour Price from:
$1500.00 per person
(Double Occupancy)
Including Round Trip
Airfare from Fort
Wayne or Chicago
Reservations are
limited and can
be made through
Luther Tours at

888-458-8486

25

Campus

Happenings
New Financial Aid Program
for CTS Students

recently reviewed its financial aid
program and has revised it so that
students in on-campus programs
leading to ordination will receive seminary grant-in-aid
awards each quarter that are 70% of their tuition for the
fall, winter, and spring quarters. Thus, the grant-inaid/tuition ratio will be the same for everyone. Students
are encouraged to energetically seek grants and scholarships that might be available, in addition to working
closely with their home congregation and home
district. If a student sees that his total gift aid for a
quarter—from all the various sources combined—will
not equal his tuition cost for that quarter, he can apply
for a Supplementary Guarantee Grant.
“We believe that both seminary students and the
individuals and groups that support them will appreciate the simplicity of this new approach,” commented Rev. George H. Lange, Director of Financial Aid.
“We see financial assistance for seminarians and their
families as being primarily a partnership. Students,
the seminary, home congregations, home districts,
and student adoption groups—along with the many
foundations that provide grants and scholarships—are
all part of this partnership.”
The other on-campus sources of funding or in-kind
assistance include grants to help pay childcare costs at
the on-campus Christ’s Child Learning Corner; and
the Food and Clothing Co-ops, which are both free.

CTS

Honoring Dr. Roger Pittelko
with a Festschrift

he Rev. Dr. Roger D. Pittelko, Visiting
Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at
Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS), was
awarded a Festschrift during the 2002 Symposia
banquet in Fort Wayne.
Entitled Shepherd the Church: Essays in Pastoral Theology Honoring Bishop Roger D. Pittelko,
the Festschrift is a collection of essays written in
Pittelko’s honor by colleagues and friends. Dr.
Pittelko was presented the Festschrift by its editors:
the Rev. Dr. Frederic W. Baue, the Rev. John W.
Fenton, the Rev. Eric C. Forss, the Rev. Dr. Frank J.
Pies, and the Rev. John T. Pless.

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26

Contributors to the Festschrift include the Rev.
David P. Stechholz, the Rev. Dr. Frank J. Pies, the Rev.
John W. Fenton, the Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer, the Rev.
Dr. Charles J. Evanson, the Rev. Dr. Paul J. Grime, the
Rev. Richard C. Resch, the Rev. Dr. Aurthur A. Just Jr.,
the Rev. Jobst Schöne, the Rev. Dr. Norman E. Nagel,
the Rev. Dr. Ronald R. Feuerhahn, the Rev. Kenneth F.
Korby, the Rev. Dr. Kurt E. Marquart; the Rev. Dr.
Charles R. Hogg Jr., the Rev. Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, the
Rev. Bruce Wilmot Adams, the Rev. Larry M. Vogel,
the Rev. Dr. Frederic W. Baue, the Rev. John T. Pless,
and the Rev. Dean D. Pittelko.
“I am overwhelmed and humbled by the honor
given me by colleagues and friends,” said Dr. Pittelko
of the presentation.
Dr. Pittelko accepted appointment to the seminary
in the fall of 1997 after 12 years as the President and
Bishop of the English District of The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod. He is a graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. In 1991, CTS honored him
with the Doctor of Divinity degree. Dr. Pittelko
served as parish pastor in New Orleans, La., and
Berwyn, Ill. Following five years in Berwyn, he
accepted a call to Holy Spirit, Elk Grove Village, Ill.,
and served there for 24 years. He
served as chairman of Synod’s
Commission on Worship for
almost two decades. He was
elected 4th Vice President of the
Synod in 1998, and he served
as such until 2001.
Dr. Pittelko is married to
Beverly, and they have two
children and four grandchildren.

For the Life of the World

Copies of Shepherd the Church may be purchased
beginning in May 2002 from the CTS Bookstore. You
can reach the bookstore by phone at 260-452-2160, or
via e-mail at ctsbookstore@ mail.ctsfw.edu.

Seminary to Host
Annual Golf Outing

will
once
again host its
annual Grand
Ol’e Lutheran Fellowship
(GOLF) outing on May 11,
2002, at Noble Hawks Golf
Links in Kendallville, Ind.
Registration begins at
noon with the Florida Scramble outing officially beginning at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start. Participation fees are $75 per golfer. If you
would like to be a sponsor, the fee for a regular
sponsor is up to $249.00; a tee sponsor is between
$250.00 and $499.00; and a seminary/hole sponsor
is $500.00 plus.
All fees include golfing and a dinner that will
immediately follow the outing. All proceeds will go
to benefit the construction of a new playground on
the seminary grounds that will be open to seminary
students, their families, staff, faculty, and all people
of the Fort Wayne community.
For more information or to register, please call
260-452-2249.

CTS

(260)New Area Code for CTS
he Fort Wayne community recently had a
change of area code, which impacts Concordia Theological Seminary. The new
area code is 260. Please be sure to change any
phone numbers you have from the old code to
260.
You can still reach the Office of Admission
at the same toll-free number, (800) 481-2155,
and the Office for Institutional Advancement at
their toll-free number, (877) 287-4338.

T

APRIL 2002

he Food Co-op at CTS provides roughly 75
percent of the dietary needs of students’
families. Commonly-needed household items,
such as cleaning supplies, diapers, shampoo, and
other hygiene products, are also available.
Students spend points, allocated based on family
size, on purchases at the Food Co-op. Each family
volunteers 1-2 hours each month at the Food or Clothing Co-op, performing needed tasks, such as stocking
shelves, sorting clothing ,or picking up donations.
✠ Fresh produce in season is often donated to the
Co-op by local gardeners. Staples such as
potatoes, onions, and carrots are available all year.
✠ Several large freezers allow the seminary to
provide frozen beef, chicken, vegetables, frozen
pizza, and “t.v. dinners,” as well as ice cream and
other treats for those shopping at the Co-op.
Donors from around the country supply the Coop with monetary and in-kind donations. A couple of
examples include the Brakebush Chicken company,
which regularly donates chicken that helps to feed
seminary families all year; and the Lutheran Fraternities of America, based in
Michigan, bring over 20
tons of donations to the
seminary each year.
This
winter,
CTS
received a generous donation from Herb Schriefer,
who owns a Heavenly Ham
franchise in Virginia Beach,
Va. When his parents, Walt
and Ruth Schriefer, heard
that he had hams that he needed to give
away, they suggested that he donate
some to the Food Co-op at CTS. “This
sounded like a great way to help support the families of those studying at
the seminary,” said Herb. He gave the
hams to Walt Dissen, who was headed
to CTS for the Symposia Series. Cynthia Hall, Director of the Food and
Clothing Co-ops, and Seminarian Timmothy Heath accepted the hams with gratitude.
For more information about how you can help
seminary families this way, please call (260) 4522168, or send an e-mail to co-ops@mail.ctsfw.edu.

The Food Co-op

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27

First DELTO Students
Receive Certificates and Calls

uring a special service Saturday, February 23,
2002, CTS celebrated the success of the first
Distance Education Leading To Ordination
(DELTO) cycle. Ten men received certificates of
completion, and eight of these men received their
first Calls into the Holy Ministry.

uring the regular chapel service January 28th,
CTS held its winter Vicarage Placement and
Call Service during the regular chapel service
January 28, 2002. Two men received vicarage placements during the service, and six men received their
Divine Calls to congregations.

Forrest E. Brashier, Jr., of Kimberly, Ala., was

The vicarage assignments and
candidate calls were as follows:

D

The men were called as follows:

called to Solid Rock Lutheran Church, Trussville,
Ala.;

Toby O. Byrd of Honey Grove, Texas, was called to

St. Luke Lutheran Church, Honey Grove, Texas;

David L. Greene of Kaplan, La., was

called to First Lutheran Church,
Crowley, La.;

Mark R. Junkans of Channelview,
Texas, was called as Hispanic Missionary at Large for the Texas District, Houston, Texas;

have completed the program and will
receive their calls in the near future.

The purpose of DELTO is to allow laymen to continue serving vacant congregations or mission starts,
which would disband without leadership, while
studying for the ministry. The laymen each have an
ordained pastor to guide them, known as a mentor.
November 3-5, 2002: Good Shepherd Institute Conference
January 21-24, 2003: 2003 Symposia Series

called to St. Paul and Trinity Lutheran Churches,
Bertha and Hewitt, Minn.;

Vicar Chris L. Sigmon of Conover, N.C., was

assigned to Zion Lutheran Church, Edgerton, Ohio;
and

Jais H. Tinglund of Losning, Denmark, was called as

Associate Pastor to Our Savior Lutheran Church,
Aberdeen, S.D.

During the service, it was noted that Charles
Kramer, who received his first Call, is the greatgrand-nephew of Charles Kramer, who generously
donated over 100 acres to The Lutheran Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;
Missouri Synod in 1954. Kramer Chapel is built on
the spot where the Kramer home once stood.
The spring vicarage placement and call services
will be held at 7 p.m. in Kramer chapel April 23 and
24, respectively. Check the seminary web site,
www.ctsfw.edu, regularly for information about how
to listen to the services online.

For the Life of the World

EDUCATIONAL — INSPIRATIONAL

oin Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, President of CTS, and
his wife, Linda, for a trip entitled “In the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul. The 14-day trip will be
July 27-August 9, 2002, and the cost is $2,899.00.
You will tour Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kavala, Veria,
Vergina, Kalambaka, Meteora, Delphi, Corinth,
Athens, Istanbul, Kusadasi (Ephesus), and the following Greek islands: Patmos, Mykonos, Rhodes, Heraklion (Crete), and Santorini.
For more information about this once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity, call Luther Tours at (888) 458-8486.

Travel to Greece and the Aegean

J

oncordia Theological Seminary is pleased to
sponsor “Highlights of Italy,” an 11 day tour of
Venice, Florence, Rome and other sites so
important in the history of Christianity and western
civilization. The tour will be hosted by Dr. William C.
Weinrich, Academic Dean of CTS and a Vice President
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The cost of
the tour, which includes roundtrip airfare and accommodations at first class hotels, is $1899 per person
from Chicago or $1999 per person from Ft. Wayne. For
more information, call CTS Tours at 877-287-4338.

Highlights of Italy

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new CD, entitled Cramer & Resch at Kramer
Chapel, is now available for $25.00 from the
Alumni Relations Office at CTS. The Alumni
of CTS have paid all costs so that the proceeds from
the CD can help support the recent re-leathering project of the Kramer Chapel Organ. Any additional
funds raised above the re-leathering cost will help
establish an endowment fund for the future care of the
Kramer Chapel Organ.
You can send a check to the Alumni Relations
Office, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort
Wayne, IN 46825. You can order using your credit
card by calling toll free at 1-877-287-4338.
Kantor and Associate Professor at
Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS), the Rev. Richard
C. Resch, and Professor of
Organ at Notre Dame University, Craig Cramer, are the two
featured organists on the first
organ compact disc recording
ever produced on the Kramer
Chapel Organ. The program consists of approximately 70 minutes

New Kramer Chapel Organ CD

A

APRIL 2002

of works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Dietrich Buxtehude, Johann Hanff, Johann Krebs, Jean-François
Dandrieu, Helmut Walcha, Hermann Schroeder, Jan
Bender, and Egil Hovland.
The 56-rank Kramer Chapel organ was built by
the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, N.Y., in
1958. The Noack Organ Company of Georgetown,
Mass., provided a tonal revision and new console in
1991. The organ was releathered by the John-Paul
Buzard Organ Company of Champaign, Ill., in 2000.

Christ’s Healing for the Hurting
Christian: Soul Care

TS will welcome Dr. Beverly K. Yahnke as a
guest lecturer at a retreat entitled “Christ’s
Healing for the Hurting Christian: Soul Care.”
The retreat is scheduled for April 26-28, 2002, on the
seminary campus.
This retreat offers candid talk
about the facts surrounding the
challenges to Christian living.
Dr. Yahnke will examine the collisions between psychology and
theology as each endeavors to heal the
mind and the soul. Participants will be
equipped to detect the dangers of a secular
psychology and prepared to embrace Christ’s gifts for
the care of the soul. This weekend is just what the
doctor ordered for anyone who has struggled with
personal or spiritual pain, or for anyone who would
like to become more effective in his or her efforts to
support a friend or loved one.
Dr. Yahnke is a Licensed Psychologist and Director of Christian Counseling Services, Milwaukee,
Wis. She is a member of the American Psychological
Association and the Association of Christian Counselors. She has served on the LCMS Board for Higher Education as an elected member since 1998, and
was re-elected at the 2001 LCMS Convention to
serve until 2004.
To register for the retreat, “Christ’s
Healing for the Hurting Christian: Soul
Care,” contact the seminary at (877)
287-4338 ext. 2204 or go to the seminary’s web site, www.ctsfw.edu. The
cost is $135.00 for the weekend
(includes housing and meals). For
local participants, the cost is $65.00,
which includes the retreat, breakfast,
lunch, and dinner on Saturday.

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or your free subscription, please send your
name, address, city, state, and zip code to:
For the Life of the World, 6600 N. Clinton
St., Fort Wayne, IN 46825. Pastors may subscribe
their entire congregation, at no charge, by
submitting a membership list (including members’
name, address, city, state, and zip code). Lists submitted to the Public Relations Office will not be
used for other solicitations.
For those congregations that do not wish to provide a membership list, bulk subscriptions are
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Learn about Kramer Chapel
on the CTS campus, listen
to music by the Kantorei,
and watch CTS videos.

Find out about Walther Library,
located on the CTS campus, and
its offerings. Find links to other
libraries and theological resources.

Participate in conversation
boards about the catechism,
the four main areas of
theological study at the
seminary, and sermon helps.
Find out whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on
at CTS and register for
campus events.

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issues of For the Life of the
World magazine. Cut and paste
articles for church newsletters
and friends (please note
source when reprinting).

Learn about what we
believe and locate a
church, school, or pastor.

Link to helps for Pastors:
sermons, liturgy, hymnody,
and other Lutheran sites.

Link to Biblical, synodical,
and CTS resources.
APRIL 2002

Enjoy daily Scripture
readings from the Daily
Chapel Lectionary.

Link directly to some of the
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Christ Academy - 2002
hrist Academy 2002 will be held in Fort Wayne
from June 16-June 29. A focus that’s uniquely
Lutheran, Christ Academy explores the many
facets of pastoral ministry and its application in the real world. It
is a two-week residential academy for high-school aged young
men of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Forwarding Service Requested

The
Ultimate
Event
Christ Academy - Germany
his is a unique opportunity for pre-seminary
students in the Concordia University System and
college-age Christ Academy graduates. This select
group will travel the steps of Luther. Leaving on June 29,
2002, participants will visit Erfurt, Germany, to spend
time as they journey to many historic sites in the region.
From Erfurt, the group will journey to Leipzig and then to
Wittenburg, where they will stay at the university and
study Lutheran history. From there,
they will go to Berlin and spend time
seeing a unified city and working with
our sister church in Germany.

T

I’d like more information about Christ Academy 2002 and
Christ Academy Germany. Please send an application form
to the following address:

For more information about Christ Academy 2002 and Christ Academy
Germany, or to get an application, please call 1-800-481-2155 or return the form
printed above. You can also find information in the Events section of the seminary’s
web site, www.ctsfw.edu.